Briefs: Dakota Tech names an interim president

Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities have named Tim Wynes, president of Inver Hills Community College, to take on the additional role of interim president of Dakota County Technical College.

The appointment takes effect July 1, and the search for a permanent president will begin early in the fall.

Wynes succeeds Ron Thomas, who is retiring after 13 years as head of the tech school.

Wynes has headed Inver Grove since 2010. Before that he was for eight years the chancellor of the Iowa Valley Community College District.

He has served on the faculty at the University of Missouri School of Law and as an adjunct at Iowa State University and other institutions of higher learning.

Steven Rosenstone, MnSCU chancellor, said in a statement:

"Tim Wynes is an outstanding leader who works effectively with community leaders, elected officials, area business and industry, and public schools and is deeply committed to Dakota and Scott counties. [Dakota Tech] and Inver Hills have entered into some very exciting and productive joint initiatives for customized training and continuing education that have resulted in cost savings and improved service to students and the community.

"The appointment of Tim Wynes will ensure the continuity of these activities, ensure a smooth transition from one administration to the next, and help the college recruit a stellar new president."

Wynes has a bachelor's degree from Cornell College, a law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law in Missouri, and has coursework in the doctorate program in educational leadership at Iowa State.

DAKOTA COUNTY

Master gardeners plan spring plant sale

As gardening season prepares to bloom, the Master Gardeners of Dakota County are setting up for their spring plant sale.

The public is invited to bring carts or wagons to take home plants from 9 a.m. to noon May 11 at the Master Gardener Education and Research Display Garden at UMore Park in Rosemount. Selections include perennials, peonies, annuals, fruit, vegetables, heirloom tomatoes and shrubs.

The sale will be held regardless of weather.

Law library to host meet-and-greet for Law Day

The Dakota County Law Library will host a meet-and-greet open house from noon to 2 p.m. May 1 in recognition of Law Day.

The event, with the theme "Realizing the Dream: Equality for All," will give the public a chance to meet a district court judge, have refreshments and enter a drawing for a free book.

There will also be free copies of the U.S. Constitution available while supplies last.

The Law Day open house will be held at the Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley. For more information, call 651-438-8244.

Center looking to recruit 'mission gardeners'

The Eagan and Lakeville Resource Center, a nonprofit group devoted to eliminating hunger in Dakota County, is looking for workplaces, schools, churches or back yard gardeners to grow food for families in need.

Gardeners are invited to attend a meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. April 30 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 3930 Rahn Road in Eagan, to learn how to start a "mission garden," what to grow, when to harvest, how to pack donations and best times to drop donations off.

"Our mission gardeners are extremely valuable partners in the work we do to eliminate hunger," said Sarah Schmidt, ELRC fresh food coordinator.

"Last year, local growers grew over 25,000 pounds of produce for the Pantry [food shelf]. Gardeners participated in many ways, from bringing in excess produce from a kitchen garden, growing an entire garden for the food shelf, and even donating part of their farm crop to the ELRC."

Earlier this week, Amazon announced that it's hiring 1,000 more full-time workers at its Shakopee fulfillment center. But city and county officials are still assessing reliable transportation options for the 1,500 people who already work there.